Experiential Travel and Creative Retreats in Calabria, Italy
Squillace Beach, looking towards the Mons Moscius in the Gulf of Squillace on the Ionian Coast in Calabria, just south of the city of Catanzaro.
“Nothing can be compared to the new life that the discovery of another country provides for a thoughtful person. Although I am still the same, I believe to have changed to the bones.”
J. W. von Goethe, Italian Journey
The magic of Italy has been famous for centuries throughout the world.
Whether you are wanting to explore its amazing art, exquisite cuisine, geographical beauty, or opportunities for quality time at the beach, a visit to Italy will leave you with memories for a lifetime.
Calabria, the very tip of the toe of the Italian Peninsula, is a less explored area, and contains some incredible treasures, all the more beautiful because they are largely unknown throughout the rest of the country and the world.
I lived here for many years, and have been returning the last few years for extended stays, where I enjoy time to reconnect with my old friends, rest, recharge, eat, swim and walk…and also create a special space to devote to my creative endeavors.
In years past I offered experiences focused on more tourism type activities; going forward I have decided to shift my focus and offer more low key experiences for those who are wanting to slow down, connect with themselves, nature and an area overflowing with history.
Creative Retreats in the Gulf of Squillace
Immersive intercultural experiences that give you time to reconnect—with yourself and with your creative work… even if your greatest work of art is your own life.
Discover a slower rhythm through beautiful landscapes, time by the Mediterranean (depending on the season), wonderful food, meaningful cultural encounters, and space to reflect, create, and simply be.
Calabria is the southernmost region of mainland Italy—the very toe of the Italian “boot.”
According to ancient tradition, it was once the homeland of the legendary King Italus, remembered as a wise ruler who is said to have established one of the earliest forms of democratic governance. It is also the land where Pythagoras founded his famous philosophical school in nearby Croton (today’s Crotone), making Calabria one of the great centers of learning in the ancient Greek world. Indeed, the name Italia itself was originally used to describe this southern part of the peninsula before eventually being adopted for the unified nation in 1861.
Today, Calabria remains a place of quiet enchantment. Its beauty is less polished and less immediately obvious than that of Italy’s more celebrated regions, yet it possesses a depth and authenticity that many visitors find even more compelling. Here, dramatic coastlines meet rugged mountains, ancient villages cling to the hillsides, and centuries of history remain woven into everyday life, creating a landscape that continues to inspire all who take the time to discover it.
These pictures are from the Gulf of Squillace, on the Ionian Coast near Catanzaro, one of the three larger cities in Calabria.
Said to be the place where Ulysses washed ashore and found the friendly Phaecians, who finally helped him return to Ithaca, it abounds with natural beauty and interesting things to see, taste, and experience.
Why Calabria?
I was born and raised in Wisconsin, but when I was twenty-one I moved to Italy for what was supposed to be a one-year sabbatical. That single year became an entire chapter of my life lasting twenty-four years.
For twenty of those years, I lived in Calabria, at the very toe of the Italian peninsula.
From the very beginning, I was captivated by the extraordinary beauty and complexity of this region. Calabria’s history stretches back thousands of years, and traces of that history are woven into its landscape: ancient Greek temples, medieval villages perched high on the hillsides, Norman castles, Byzantine churches, and winding streets that have witnessed centuries of human life.
Many of the hill towns were built in strategic locations to protect their inhabitants from the countless invasions that shaped southern Italy over the centuries. Today, they remain living reminders of a slower, more grounded way of life—one that offers those of us from the fast-paced modern world an opportunity to reconnect with beauty, simplicity, and what truly nourishes the soul.
And yes… there is also the food.
Calabria is renowned for its regional cuisine, fresh local produce, and traditional family recipes that have been passed down through generations. Combined with crystal-clear seas and spectacular beaches, it is a place that invites both enjoyment and restoration.
With more than 700 kilometers (435 miles) of coastline, Calabria is a paradise for anyone who loves the sea. Yet its interior is equally remarkable, offering forests, mountains, and countless hiking opportunities. One of the best known is the Kalabria Coast to Coast Trail, which crosses the region from the Ionian Sea in the east, through the mountains, to the Tyrrhenian Sea on the western coast.
Over the years, one of my greatest joys has been introducing friends, family, and clients to this remarkable part of Italy. Calabria is less well known than the great art cities like Rome or Venice, or the lovely towns of Tuscany, Umbria, or the Amalfi Coast. That is part of its enduring charm. It has managed to preserve an authenticity that is becoming increasingly rare.
This is not a polished, perfectly organized destination. Calabria can sometimes be inefficient, unpredictable, and delightfully unconventional. But beneath those imperfections lies a place of remarkable warmth, beauty, resilience, and generosity. (And if you love to swim in the sea, nothing quite compares to the Mediterranean).
What Your Retreat Can Include
- Creative mentoring
- Writing, painting or music time
- Cultural immersion
- Nature experiences
- Day trips to historical sites and quaint towns
- Trekking in the mountains
- Local food and markets
- Quiet time
- Optional counseling or consultation
Life here still follows rhythms that are closer to nature. It is easy to find exceptional food at reasonable prices, relatively unspoiled beaches and forests, and local people who are happy to share stories about their history, traditions, and way of life over an espresso or a glass of local wine.
My Creative Retreats are designed for people who would like to experience Calabria from the inside rather than simply visit it as tourists. Whether you are a writer, artist, musician, therapist, or simply someone longing for a period of reflection and renewal, I would love to help create an experience that is tailored specifically to your interests, goals, and pace.
Who These Retreats Are For
These retreats are designed for people who are looking for something more than a vacation.
Perhaps you are longing for uninterrupted time to write, paint, compose music, or simply think more deeply about the direction of your life. Perhaps you are navigating a period of transition and want the space to reflect, reconnect with yourself, and regain perspective. Or perhaps you simply feel drawn to experience a part of Italy that remains authentic, deeply rooted in its history and traditions, and largely untouched by mass tourism.
You do not need to consider yourself an artist to benefit from this experience. Creativity belongs to all of us. Whether your creative work takes the form of writing, music, photography, teaching, gardening, cooking, designing, building, or simply creating a more meaningful life, these retreats are intended to support that process.
They may be especially meaningful for:
- Writers, musicians, artists, and other creative professionals
- Therapists, coaches, educators, and helping professionals seeking nurturing and renewal
- People navigating life transitions or searching for greater clarity and purpose
- Nature lovers who appreciate beauty, history, and slower rhythms of living
- Anyone who prefers authentic cultural experiences over conventional tourism
Some people come seeking inspiration for a creative project. Others simply need time to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with themselves. Together, we will create an experience that reflects your interests, goals, and pace.
Every retreat is individually designed, so I don’t publish standard prices or fixed itineraries. Together we’ll create an experience that reflects your interests, creative goals, and the rhythm that feels right for you.
If you’re curious about spending time in Calabria in a more meaningful and personal way, I’d love to hear from you. Contact me at martha@marthabw.com to begin the conversation.
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